Power
All the world is focused on Ukraine. What’s next? How long? Why?
“Leaders” of nations play power games to see who has what territory, control of their citizens, and the next photo op. All under the illusion that they have power. As though they are little gods. As though God does not exist.
Here’s the deal: nothing happens without God. He is sovereign and He is in all the details of life. Yes, sinful man will pursue his selfish ways and there will be sorrow. But do not doubt that God has purpose in all of man’s affairs – and His purpose is never thwarted. And for those who love Him and claim His Son Jesus as Savior, He will work out all things for our good. Even when…it seems so hard.
This is easy for me to say sitting thousands of miles away from destruction. The importance of saying it isn’t diminished by current ease. In fact, it is during the ease that we must prepare ourselves for times of war, or famine, or unrest in the streets, or disease, or heartache.
If we wait as a nation or as an individual until trouble is upon us, how then do we weather the hard realities, pain, and misery? “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 1:9 NLT)
God, throughout time, and Jesus when on earth, did not ignore the realities of what mankind has chosen in rejection of Him. This choice, which we’ve all made, results in what the world is experiencing. World leaders will not fix it, billionaires cannot control it, and climate change isn’t the cause of it.
But joy and peace can be found in the midst of it all. In the bomb shelter, prison, hospital ward, loneliness. I learned something today that I hadn’t realized before. Longing for heaven and an end to all the ugliness isn’t wrong, but if that’s my focus I’m forgetting why Jesus came to earth in the first place.
What is it about heaven we think we want? Lots of answers to that, but unless our conclusion is Jesus, we answer incorrectly. Jesus came so that we could have Him, He is what makes heaven more than we can ask or imagine. By giving us His Holy Spirit now, all of that peace, joy, rest is already ours. Pastor Jimmy Rollins reminds us: “Don’t allow what you’re looking at to determine what you see.” What we must keep our eyes on is our Prince of Peace, our true Leader, who is all powerful and whose kingdom has no end. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.’ “ (Matthew 28:18 NIV)
parisrenae 
Paris, as I see what is unfolding each day in our world, I am constantly reminded to keep my eyes on Jesus. Your post brought to mind an old song, which I am now listening to on youtube – “Jesus is the Answer for the world today”. Was true then and it is true now. Blessings, friend!
Here is the song: https://youtu.be/cKHpweGR7Bs
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing that song – I love the old songs (and today’s powerful worship music as well) – blessings as His power keeps you confident in His control.
LikeLike
Amen Paris. So true.
LikeLike
Blessings, Paula, as you walk in the truth of the knowledge that our God is power and He will sustain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is filled with truths that I need to focus upon…Jesus is the Answer and the Hope in the midst of these storms. They are storms which come to an end. I just so struggle with the unanswerable questions while in the midst. Suffering and watching it is just plain hard for me (and for many others).
I just did a post a week and half ago of God’s Weather Report sharing Scriptures and photos of the power in the weather.
LikeLike
Yes, we all struggle during those times don’t we? Blessings as your realize more and more that He is in control!
LikeLike
Yes! I want so badly to keep my focus on Jesus no matter what is going on!
Loved that quote you shared: “Don’t allow what you’re looking at to determine what you see.” I want to look with eyes of faith.
LikeLike
Paris, this reminds me of the question our pastor asked in church today—do we want Jesus, or do we just want what He can do for us? We want Him to end all the trouble, but perhaps what we really need to do is lean into Him and trust that His purposes will prevail. Thank you for this reminder to keep our eyes on Him, right here and right now.
LikeLike
Love it when God lays a particular message on multiple hearts 🙂 Blessings as you live knowing His power is all we need and He is our eternity.
LikeLike